moving into a dementia specific unit at the care home?

Registered User

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this and can help. My FIL moved into a care home about a week ago. The care home has a residential floor and an EMI/dementia floor. When they completed his evaluation, they decided to move him into the residential floor, where he's been living for the past week. He has not settled particularly well, but not particularly poorly either from what I've heard of other people's stories. He has been walking the halls a lot--he was used to going for walks regularly when he was at home, which I think may be part of why he's doing this. We've been to visit him every day, and he sometimes seems quite upset, but not aggressive. The staff said he seemed very focused on the door and spending time around the door, which is why they want to move him upstairs. I don't know if they really mean he's made an escape attempt, but he's always in his room or the lounge when we come to visit. When we visited the dementia floor initially, people seemed much worse off than he is right now. We were hoping that he would be able to get a bit more human interaction by moving into the care home, and it seems unlikely that's going to happen on the EMI floor.

On the one hand, we want to respect the care home staff's opinions, as obviously they have a lot of experience. On the other hand, we're concerned that this is really too short a time span in which to make this kind of decision, especially given that most of the time he has been there has been during the holidays when the regular managers haven't been in attendance. Has anyone been in a similar scenario? How do you best advocate for a relative in this situation?

Registered User

Is it possible he will be downstairs during the day but in the dementia unit at night? I know this happens in quite a few homes where there is more chance of him slipping out at night. I would talk to the manager and see what they are thinking.

Registered User

I would like recommendations of any good care homes which specialises in Dementia in the Loughborough and surrounding areas. I have had to place my great Aunt into a home this week and the level of care is poor. I need to get her moved ASAP.

Registered User

I would like recommendations of any good care homes which specialises in Dementia in the Loughborough and surrounding areas. I have had to place my great Aunt into a home this week and the level of care is poor. I need to get her moved ASAP.

I suggest you visit your local carers cafe where people can and will tell you the best homes in your area at the current time (changes always happening) . Go onto the care quality commission website and look at homes in your area and read the reports - this is a very lenghty process.Your carers cafe is your very best bet particularly if you need a quick move if there isn't one very soon (they are usually once or twice a month in large towns) then phone your local carers organisation and explain the problem and ask them for some contacts/help.

Registered User

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this and can help. My FIL moved into a care home about a week ago. The care home has a residential floor and an EMI/dementia floor. When they completed his evaluation, they decided to move him into the residential floor, where he's been living for the past week. He has not settled particularly well, but not particularly poorly either from what I've heard of other people's stories. He has been walking the halls a lot--he was used to going for walks regularly when he was at home, which I think may be part of why he's doing this. We've been to visit him every day, and he sometimes seems quite upset, but not aggressive. The staff said he seemed very focused on the door and spending time around the door, which is why they want to move him upstairs. I don't know if they really mean he's made an escape attempt, but he's always in his room or the lounge when we come to visit. When we visited the dementia floor initially, people seemed much worse off than he is right now. We were hoping that he would be able to get a bit more human interaction by moving into the care home, and it seems unlikely that's going to happen on the EMI floor.

On the one hand, we want to respect the care home staff's opinions, as obviously they have a lot of experience. On the other hand, we're concerned that this is really too short a time span in which to make this kind of decision, especially given that most of the time he has been there has been during the holidays when the regular managers haven't been in attendance. Has anyone been in a similar scenario? How do you best advocate for a relative in this situation?

Sometimes in care homes they do things because it is easier for their staff not because it is better for the person! It might be easier for them to have him away from the door but they haven't given him any time to settle and if he likes walking then he should be encouraged and a good home would take him for a walk in the grounds morning and afternooon if that helped him settle. I would suggest to them that you would prefer him to be on the other floor for the reasons that you have stated and also because perhaps he should have more time to settle with the people he can communicate with.

I think you are quite right that they should follow the assessment and give him a chance and then reassess in 4-6 weeks when they know him better but more importantly when he knows them better.

I would put it in writing so that it is on record and also so that the returning managers are fully aware of the situation. You know FiL best and have his very best interests at heart so stick with your gut instinct.